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Have you saved the date and start making arrangements to attend this year’s WBO’s Congress? It may seem like it’s still a long time away, but no, time flies and we need to make sure we are all on the same boat, or the same cruise ship for that matter.

As you’ve already been informed, this year the WBO Congress will take us on a cruise, leaving from Miami, Florida October 23 at 5 p.m. We will be holding our meetings as we navigate through the Caribbean, tough work, but someone has to do it; we will be making a stop in the beautiful island of Cuba, an island with rich pugilistic tradition and home to many boxing stars. Of course, it is not all about work, there is time for fun too, as the cruise takes us to visit the breathtaking Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas… the only risk here is arriving back in Miami October 27th with less people aboard.

This unique and wonderful experience is just seven months away, but your confirmation and reservations need to be ready by August 4, which gives you 4 months to get your arrangements in place. Prepare for this just like a boxer prepares for a fight, with time and diligence.

Take into consideration that your passport needs to be up to date, with the proper U.S. visa if required, make sure to check the expiration date on your travel document. Another important fact to consider is that to enter Cuba all foreigners need to have a tourist card (Visa or Rosada), which needs to be obtained directly by you in your country of origin, or Norwegian cruise line can help you process it for a $75.00 fee. This must be done with enough time in order to avoid unexpected problems or delays, keep in mind that anyone that doesn’t have the Cuban transit card will NOT be allowed to board the vessel.

Don’t miss the boat, make sure you have all your documents and reservations in order and sail with the WBO.

“I’m in agreement with the ABC’s request to the US Attorney General to investigate Haymon,” said WBO president Paco Valcarcel on Thursday via Twitter. “The time is right to investigate him and all of us! The World Boxing Organization is willing to cooperate with any investigation of the US Attorney General for the betterment of the sport of boxing. As discussed in our WBO Convention in October, Ali Act should define the “advisor” figure and penalties increased to 5 years in prison/250k.”

The third and final day of the 27th annual WBO Convention kicked off yesterday morning, and as anticipated, the open forum of the championship and ratings committees was not without fireworks. The day began with a short video presentation of the charitable work done by both the WBO and numerous WBO champions to promote the WBO “Kids Drug Free” program.

The second order of business came when Vice President John Duggan proposed a resolution that clarified that the position of “vice president of the China Zone” is now vacant and that the China commission is not to use any trademarks or logos. The resolution would also transfer this over to the Asia Pacific region. The resolution would be passed unanimously.

There then followed a brief discussion of the 2015 budget and a proposed amendment to the budget, which passed as well. Following this budget discussion, Joe Cortez briefly spoke of the role of instant replay in Nevada. “Instant replay in Nevada has been in play for two years,” Cortez said, “but it hasn’t been used.” Cortez noted that in Nevada only a referee has the discretion to overturn his or her decision, before adding that the “door was open” to any adjustments that needed to be made in regards to the rule as it stands in Nevada.

From there WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri spoke of the importance of being a role model as a champion.

“Being a champion is a world wide title,” Algieri said, “there are a lot of eyes on you. A lot of young eyes. As a champion you want to present yourself to the world as a champion. As a role model.” Algieri was subsequently presented the WBO Gordy Volkman Man of the Year Award for Outstanding Community Service.

Following the presentation of the Gordy Volkman Award to Algieri, the discussion then turned to where to host the 2015 WBO Convention. Although the Philippines had been the early front runner, having been named in 2013 as the location of the 2015 convention, it was passed over for Florida. Citing concerns over the recent typhoon in the Philippines, and the impact that had on the feasibility of hosting the event there, President Valcarcel accepted a recommendation for the 2015 WBO Convention to be held in Orlando, Florida. Puerto Rico was named as a backup location. President Valcarcel, however, indicated a strong desire to eventually have the WBO convention in the Philippines in the near future.

A brief video fallowed in which highlights of the 2013 WBO Convention in Budapest was shown. Heavyweight Charles Martin was awarded the NABO fighter of the year award at that time as well as several other special recognition awards to journalist Pedro Fernandez, Ulf Steinforth, and Wladimir Klitschko. Wilfried Sauerland was given an award after having been named “European Promoter of the Year” as well.

From there the ever contentious championship and ratings committee kicked off with their session.

This started in the mini-flyweight division, where Japanese matchmaker Ulysses Sato pushed to have his fighter enter the WBO rankings.

There were no requests at junior flyweight and only one at flyweight (to move an undefeated European champion into the WBO ranks). However, the relative lack of controversy in the lowest weight classes was not a harbinger of what would follow, as the discussions became more intensive starting with the junior bantamweight division. Representatives for #5 ranked Paul Butler requested a move to #1 or, in the alternative, to have the winner of the Paul Butler-Jamie Conlan fight be named the mandatory challenger. Conlan is ranked #7 by the WBO. Although Frank Warren’s request to have the winner of the Butler-Conlan fight named “interim champion” was denied, the committee and President Valcarcel did agree to name the winner of that fight as mandatory challenger for champion Omar Narvaez.

At bantamweight several promoters made arguments to have their fighters move into the top ten, most notably #13 ranked Pungluang Sor Sinyu and #14 ranked Lee Haskins.

At junior featherweight the executive committee did acknowledge the difficulties that Guillermo Rigondeaux was having finding opponents willing to take him on. Hedi Taouab Mohammed initially pushed to have his fighter, #4 ranked Zsolt Bedak, move up in the rankings before President Valcarcel inquired about a possible matchup between Bedak and #2 ranked Genesis Servania.

At featherweight a compelling argument was put forth by representatives of King Sports to have undefeated Colombian banger Miguel Marriaga move into the top ten. A proposed fight between #8 ranked British bomber Mark McCollough and #5 ranked Polish fighter Kamil Laszczyk was also discussed, as well as the possibility of the winner of that fight moving up into the top four. Ulysses Sato made a push to have Filipino Mark Gil Melligen, the #13 ranked WBO Oriental champion, move into the top ten.

A familiar name was brought up in the junior lightweight discussions as Main Events pushed to have Edner Cherry return to the top ten on the basis of his nine fight winning streak. President Valcarcel seemed open to the proposal.

At lightweight it appeared highly likely that Juan Diaz might move up from #3 to #1 after the current #1 contender, Ray Beltran, fights the WBO champion Terence Crawford. The prospect of the #1 slot opening up brought out numerous other requests, including one from representatives of #4 ranked Anthony Crolla. However, that request was immediately challenged by Frank Warren, who reminded the executive committee that Crolla “never fought anyone in the WBO top 15” before offering his fighter, #9 ranked Terry Flanagan as a strong candidate to move up.

At junior welterweight the recognition that the title may be at play in the coming months also led to a contentious and colorful discussion. Ruslan Provodnikov’s camp made an argument to have him leapfrog #1 ranked Lucas Matthysse. Several fighters had representatives push to have them move into the top ten, including Emanuel Taylor and veteran Paul Spadafora.

In the welterweight division several promoters jockeyed to have their fighters move up, with the most notable being undefeated Canadian prospect Mikael Zewski, undefeated Fredrick Lawson, and the winner of the upcoming Jeff Horn-Robson Assis fight. Horn, the WBO Oriental Champion, is ranked #11 while Assis, the WBO Latino champion, is ranked #12.

In the junior middleweight division Frank Warren pushed to have #10 ranked Liam Smith move up while representatives of #13 ranked Sirimongkol Singwancha also pushed to have the Thai based fighter move into the top ten.

In the middleweight division the biggest news came when the WBO championship and rating committee voted unanimously to name the winner of a proposed four fighter elimination as the top middleweight. The first fight, between #4 ranked Andy Lee and #1 ranked Matt Korobov, would then face the winner of the Billy Saunders –Chris Eubank fight. Saunders is currently ranked #2 while Eubanks is ranked #9. Also noteworthy in the discussions regarding the middleweight division were proposals to move Abraham Han into the world rankings as well as a push to have Willie Monroe Jr. move up in the rankings.

In the light heavyweight division several fighters received pushes to move up the rankings including #11 ranked Isidro Ranoni Prieto, who already is emerging as arguably the most popular fighter ever from Paraguay.

In the cruiserweight division a second four fighter elimination looks likely as the winner of the upcoming Tony Bellew-Nathan Cleverly fight would fight either #1 ranked Krzysztof Glowacki or #3 ranked Nuri Seferi with the winner being named the mandatory for WBO Champion Marco Huck. Bellew is currently ranked #4 while Cleverly is currently ranked #5.

In the heavyweight division the discussion revolved around Wladimir Klitschko and who his next mandatory challenger would be, as well as when he would be required to fight that fighter. After some discussion, it became apparent that the winner of the upcoming Tyson Fury-Dereck Chisora fight would be named mandatory challenger to the WBO champion, although the timetable of that mandatory defense was still not set in stone.

Rounding off the event was the gala banquet in which the family of the recently deceased Dan Goossen was presented with an honorary WBO belt. Several other awards were handed out, including WBO Promoter of the year (Bob Arum), WBO Fight of the year (Crawford-Gamboa), WHO female fighter of the year (Carolina Duer), WBO fighter of the year (Sergey Kovalev), Spanish Network of the year (Telemundo), and an award to Vasyl Lomachenko, who was given an award for being the WBO champion with the brightest future. Rounding off the gala banquet was a touching and moving ceremony where both Joe Calzaghe and Oscar De La Hoya were awarded lifetime champion awards by the WBO. Both Calzage and De La Hoya gave moving speeches about their ties to the WBO, and how important the WBO belt had meant to them as fighters.

The second business day of the 27th annual WBO Convention at Caesars Palace Las Vegas kicked off yesterday morning with a much anticipated discussion on proffering recommendations to U.S. Senators John McCain and Harry Reid recommending several amendments to the Muhammad Ali Act, originally passed by Congress in 1996.

However, a special visit from former WBO champion Marco Antonio Barrera, prompted a short delay in the days activity to allow WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel to celebrate the arrival of the Hall of Fame champion.The visibly warm relationship between Valcarcel and Barrera was highlighted as Barrera called the WBO his “family” before Valcarcel called Barrera the star of “the golden age of Mexico boxing.””Marco became an example of great champion,” Valcarcel said, “A Very intelligent family man, clean man. Honest. We would be proud to tell any child this is a model for you.”

From there WBO General Secretary Jose Izquierdo gave a presentation to the members and the Executive Committee on a list of recommendations to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act and ways that the WBO can work with the US Federal Government to help implement these changes.

“We don’t want to make rules in isolation,” Izquierdo said of his desire to see the WBO work with the federal government and the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) on implementing these reforms, “when we make policies in isolation they become impossible to implement due to jurisdictional limitations. Boxing organizations need to stop conceiving rules in isolation that because of jurisdictional limitations do nothing to better our sport.”

Izquierdo recommended that the WBO petition the federal government and the ABC to implement several changes such as clarifying the role of an “advisor.”

We think the law should define some language that who an advisor is,” Izquierdo said. The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act prohibits a promoter from also acting as a manager to a fighter, or from having an interest in managing a fighter. However, this is something that has been circumvented in boxing through the gray area regarding what the role of an “advisor” is.

Izquierdo also recommended stiffer penalties for violations to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, increasing the maximum jail sentence for a violation as well as the minimum fines. Izquierdo discussed raising the penalty to five years for a violation.

“We think the law is very good,” Izquierdo said of the proposed increased penalty, “we want to give it more bite and to clarify it.”

Izquierdo also wanted to bring uniformity to the Act, expressing concern over the “piecemeal regulations” that were different throughout the country.

Another recommendation by Izquierdo was the prohibition of charging a fee for appeals, a policy implemented by some other sanctioning organizations.

“It is not transparent when you charge a fee for something that should be simple due process,” Izquierdo said of the policy.

President Valcarcel then chimed in, condemning the policy in boxing where a fighter would leapfrog over more deserving contenders not due to his accomplishments in the ring but due to his connections to a particular promoter.

The President and Executive Committee also spoke at length about a poorly administered fight out of Puerto Rico in which a judge not only erroneously scored a round 9-7, but then was able to convince the commission to allow him to amend his scorecard after turning it in. The commission in Puerto Rico had not taken action against the judge who not only made a critical error in regards to the 10-point must system, but also tried to influence another judge to also score the round in question in a similar manner. This judge not only avoided suspension, but continued to work in Puerto Rico.

“That guy is incompetent,” Valcarcel said of the judge in question, “unfortunately they (the commission) stuck their head in the sand like an ostrich. This law must be amended so that it has teeth.”

In the end, the WBO Executive Committee unanimously voted to establish a committee to further explore the issue and to embrace recommendations for the proposed amendments to the law. This committee will subsequently present its report to legislators at a later date.

Before closing for lunch, the Executive Committee briefly discussed several other issues, including one present to the Committee by WBO member Markus Aslani regarding an organization operating in Europe called the GBA. Aslani expressed serious concern over the safety standards of the GBA and its rather lax administration of these standards. President Valcarcel requested Aslani to present more information to him on the matter so that he could make an informed decision regarding the discussion at hand.

After lunch the event split up into two groups, with judges and officials attending a ABC Seminars while the majority of members of the Executive Committee hosted a session for WBO supervisors. The supervisor’s seminar took a moment to moment to recognize James Toney, who was in attendance, as well as Marc Ratner, former Nevada Athletic Director. Interestingly enough, considering the guest in attendance, was this issue of a fighter “losing too much weight” at the weigh in.

“James came in twelve pounds over once,” Ratner said in regards to Toney, “he still made weight. I didn’t know that could happen.”

Several members of the Executive Committee then openly questioned if weigh-ins the day before a fight were doing more damage to the health of fighters than the older system of having them weight in the day of the fight. However, the position regarding the weigh-in remained disputed.

“Promoters use the weigh-in as a promotional event,” WBO vice president John Duggan said of the day before weigh-in.

Also discussed at the supervisor’s seminar was the role of a WBO supervisor, as the representative there to award the WBO championship in accordance with WBO rules.

“We are there to give the prize away,” WBO legal advisor Andrew Horn said, “not to promote the fight.”

Also, there was a tremendous rules meeting discussion spearheaded by Greg Sirb, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission. Topics included the importance of detailed rules regarding hand wraps, with the State of Colorado cited as a shining example of a well written rule, as well as the role of the supervisor when a judge badly drops the ball as had happened in Puerto Rico during the Jose Lopez-Roberto Castaneda debacle. The role of a supervisor’s discretion was a hot topic during the debate. Also discussed was how a supervisor is to handle a dispute regarding the brand of gloves used in a contest, with the recognition that the contract ultimately in controlling if there is language regarding the gloves. The Convention wrapped up that evening with another cocktail party at 7pm. The Convention will resume at 8:30 on Thursday with a presentation by Chris Algieri as well as the championship ratings committee.

Dear Colleagues & Friends:
We are pleased to announce our 25th Annual Convention WBO Silver Jubilee and Election to be held at the famous Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida from the 22nd to the 26th of October, 2012.
We request that golf participants arrive on the 21st of October as the golf tournament will be held on the following day, Monday, October 22nd. It will be held at the Delaire Country Club 4645 White Cedar Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33445.
Make it a point to separate these important dates in your agenda now. Remember you represent the most important factor to attain success and keep the sport of Boxing in the forefront. Ensuring your attendance will put your personal stamp on the History of the Sweet Science- Boxing.
While you are in Hollywood, see what the City of Hollywood and South Florida has to offer. Check out the city’s website at www.hollywoodfl.org. Another interesting option is to visit a Seminole Indian Reservation. Their website is www.semtribe.com. It’s the place to go for those interesting tours and cultural events.
So, remember, we have a date! It’s October 22nd (21st) to the 26th in Hollywood, Florida, proud Home of Seminole Tribe of Florida and our home too during the WBO’s Silver Jubilee and Election week at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

As the World Boxing Organization closed out its 24th Annual Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, there are many boxing insiders who are admittedly surprised at the success of the WBO. Closing in on its 25th year in existence, there are few who don’t regard the WBO as one of the premiere sanctioning organizations in the world. Founded when a group of WBA members left that organization citing anger at how that group was run, the WBO seemed at first to face an insurmountable challenge in its quest to emerge as a major sanctioning body. In those early years the WBO had less credibility than the big three of the WBA, WBC, and IBF, and those three organizations, along with the boxing media and boxing pundits, appeared keen to see the WBO fail. But it became clear almost immediately that the WBO was not going to just fade away or be ignored. They remained steadfast in their adherence to putting on quality fights with legitimate champions. Before long the WBO belt was held in the highest regards, thanks in part to champions like Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao.

However, the WBO owes much of its success to its leadership and its determination. Each year the WBO challenges itself to step up to the plate, a mentality that is a driving force for the WBO’s success. And much of that driving force over the past decade can be attributed to its current president: Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel. Valcarcel took some time to speak to Fightnews about this recent Convention and the WBO’s plans for 2012 and beyond.

What do you think are the most important topics discussed at this year’s WBO Convention?

I think that the seminars were very good, particularly Manny Steward. The referee and judges seminars were excellent. And of course the awards. Klitschko winning fighter of the year and Yessica Bopp from Argentina, as female boxer of the year. It was a great event. And having all the former WBO champions from Puerto Rico here was great. And having Marco Huck here was also great. Also, we used the convention to start work for the 25th anniversary coming up. We will have the next convention in Miami and we will start work tomorrow. The 25th anniversary will be huge. We will have everything. Fireworks and everything else.

What can we expect from the WBO in 2012 for its 25th anniversary?

You know, as I was saying earlier at the convention, that we are going to double the amount of money we used for Kids Free Drugs program. We will work with scholarships, schooling, both high school and elementary. We want to do a lot of community work, using boxing and its champions as role models for the kids, that is the main priority for our 25th anniversary.

What about the” Kids Free Drugs?” What are some of the developments of that program?

It is a program that we have all around the world and now we are working on about 25 different countries in all the continents including China. We work with the kids in the gyms. In the Boys Club. We sponsor track and field. We sponsor soccer. In the program kids use boxers as a role model. We sponsor young kids in the elementary and high school,. We supply equipment for fighters and gyms. We want kids to come from the corner to the gym. If you don’t like boxing, we will train you to be a good baseball player. Or a good soccer player. Or a track star. We don’t want kids on the streets with drugs but in the gym.

What year did Kids Free Drugs start?

It started in January of 1995.

Do you anticipate this to be the biggest year ever for Kids Free Drugs?

No, we have been working for twelve or fourteen years, we invested a lot of money. But we will double the amount of money that we used to dedicate it to community work. We want more countries around the world to join us in that program. And we have our Vice Presidents and our representatives in each country, and they know what they have to do to do some community work for Kids Free Drugs.

How does it feel to be home for this convention?

It is always nice to be at home, but then I have to remember that I am WBO president, but I also have a lot of work here waiting for me. But Puerto Rico has a proud boxing tradition. We have a lot of former world champions, over fifty world champions from Puerto Rico. We are here with Mexico, and the USA as major boxing nations. And that is good when you come home, when you do something good for your country. For your country to have something special. It is a great satisfaction. For the week we have been here, and according to the people I’ve talked to, we’ve brought in over four million dollars for the country.

You discussed problems in the past in opening up in Japan. But at this year’s convention several Japanese promoters could be seen in attendance. Any news on the Japanese front?

I don’t want to make any disclosure, but I can tell you we have been working for more than 5 years. I think we can finally deliver, and I think we will be in Japan. Sooner than later I can assure you of that.

Who are the fighters you are most excited to see in WBO title fights in 2011 and 2012?

I want to see what happens with Ivan Calderon. I would like to know what will happen with Brian Viloria and Giovani Segura. They will fight in the Philippines, and most likely I will go there for that fight. And Omar Narvaez, I would like to know what happens with him when he fights Cesar Seda. And at 122, we will know if Nonito Donaire will move up in weight, and what will happen with Jorge Arce, if he wants to go for his 5th title in a different division. I don’t know what he will do, but I know he wants to make history. At 130 we have Adrien Broner fighting Vicente Martin Rodriguez in Cincinnati in an HBO fight. The winner will probably fight Luis Cruz. It will be very exciting. At lightweight we have Ricky Burns and Michael Katsidis. Tim Bradley, he is one of the best 140 at the moment

This convention saw numerous delegates from what has previously been seen as hostile territory such as Japan and Mexico. And the developments in China and Afrca continue to expand the influence of the WBO. How important is this for the continued growth of the WBO and how does the WBO continue its expansion into uncharted territory?

Let me tell you, we have presidents all around the world. We are doing more oriental titles than PABA and OPBF put together. In Europe we have been dominating in the last 15 years. In the USA we have the best promoters working with us. And we still have the best prospects fighting for the regional and youth titles and receiving the opportunity to fight for the world title. And we have Pacquaio, Donarie, Viloria, a lot of good fighters, Klitschko, Huck. We have new prospects like Broner. We have new blood.

Tell us more about the development of the WBO Youth Belt?

We are going to have more fights with these young fighters. As long as they are under twenty-three, and the fight is between an eight and ten rounder. But we will have more and more youth champs in WBO. And we want to give more publicity to our regional champions, using our new web page. It is sensational, we are the leaders in social networking. This convention is already on our webpage!

Ghana’s Light Heavyweight boxer, Braimah Kamoko has been adjudged the African Boxer of the Year by the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) for the year 2011.

Kamoko nicknamed “Bukom Banku”, was named the finest African boxer by the global boxing body at its annual convention held from 24-29 October in Puerto Rico. Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that 31-year old Kamoko, holder of the WBO Africa Light Heavyweight title stood out amongst his competitors for the honour awarded to the most distinguished boxer during the year under review.

Famed for his antics in and outside the ring, Kamoko won his two fights during the year; managing a unanimous decision over Namibian Vikapita Merero in June and a fourth round knockout of Uruguayan Jorge Rodriguez Oliviera earlier in January. It is the most recognised individual honour for the enterprising boxer since joining the professional ranks in 2000.

With a record of 22-0-0, the Bukom-based boxer has risen to number two on the WBO latest ratings as far as the Light Heavyweight division is concerned. The number one contender is Russian Dmitry Sukhotsky, the Inter-continental champion with British Nathan Cleverly as the Champion.

The latest rankings takes Kamoko closest to realising his long-cherished dream of a world title within the shortest possible time as he is the only African in the top five bracket.

It’s been a great WBO Convention for the Philippines with “Promoter of the Year” Sammy Gello-ani joined by two other boxers and a referee at the recently concluded WBO Awards ceremony in Puerto Rico.

WBO Asia Pacific vice president Leon Panoncillo told the Manila Standard that undefeated 22 year old Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar who has a record of 13-0-1 with 10 knockouts was named WBO Asia Pacific and WBO World Youth flyweight “Boxer of the Year.”

Saludar won the Asia Pacific title with a rousing 10th round TKO over Gabriel Pumar in an exciting title fight at the Island Cove Resort in Cavite telecast by AKTV IBC Channel 13 last August 6.

Saludar had earlier won the vacant Youth title with a sensational 1st round TKO over Thailand’s Liempetch Sor Veerapol on the top rated weekly boxing show “The Main Event” also telecast on AKTV IBC Channel 13.

Undefeated 19 year old southpaw Jerwin Ancajas was named WBO Asia Pacific Youth bantamweight “Boxer of the Year” for winning the title by a unanimous ten round decision over Rex Tito last April 16.

Referee, lawyer Danrex Tapdasan was awarded the WBO Asia Pacific “Official of the Year” and commended as “ as one of Asia’s most

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer says AJ “Bazooka” Banal (26-1-1, 19 KO’s) is being lined up for a possible WBO Interim bantamweight title fight against Thailand’s No.1 world ranked Pungluang Sor Singyu who has an impressive record of 38-1 with 26 knockouts, many of them against Filipinos.

The solidly built Thai stopped Marvin Tampus in six rounds, Paul Apolinario, Freddie Martinez and Elmar Francisco in two and Joel Rafols in the first round. Pungluang won the WBO Asia Pacific Interim title with a 2nd round TKO of Nathan Bolicio last October 11 and won the Youth title with a 1st round knockout of Jilo Merlin on October 31, 2009.

Aldeguer told the Manila Standard that during the recent WBO Convention in Puerto Rico he started to “open up discussions” with WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel and Asia Pacific vice president Leon Panoncillo about a possible interim title fight, ”hopefully in March 2012.”

The interim title fight loomed after reigning WBO/WBC champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire announced he is moving up to campaign as a super bantamweight following his shutout win over two division champion Omar Andres Narvaez of Argentina last October 22 at the Theater in Madison Square Garden.

Although there are also possibilities of the talented southpaw Banal fighting for the No.1 mandatory spot in the IBF, Aldeguer said “for now, the focus is on the WBO not the IBF, but we will study the best option.”

Aldeguer informed us he would discuss the planned interim title fight with ABS-CBN vice president for Sports Peter Musngi before sending the WBO president a formal letter.

Aldeguer is in Los Angeles and plans on visiting the gym of Donaire’s trainer Robert Garcia who informed us that he would be ready to train Banal beginning next year since he is currently in Mexico working with Antonio Margarito.

Aldeguer who visited Garcia’s gym in the past said he would “still be passing by his gym to see the place again and prepare a place for Team Banal to stay when he starts training with Robert January of next year.” He added “definitely, whatever happens Banal will be training in the US next year. We feel that Robert is the right guy for Banal and maybe in the future for some of our other fighters.”

NESTOR ‘Sunshine’ Tobias on Wednesday won the WBO Africa Promoter of the Year award for the second successive year.

Financial constraints meant that he could not accept the award in person.
Tobias will be officially presented with the award byWBO fourth vice president Andrew Smale before WBO Africa bantamweight Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda’s title defence fight next Saturday.
Arguably the top promoter in the country, Tobias said yesterday that he was not surprised to win the prestigious prize as it was testimony to the hard work put it by his stable, a point his detractors need to take note of.
“It’s through the boxers’ hard work and commitment that we are able to get these awards. To those people who are always talking negative about us, they should know that these things don’t come for free. For us boxing is our livelihood. It is all we do.”
The WBO Africa Boxer of the Year 2011 was awarded to of Ghana, a man Tobias felt had scored a dubious victory over Namibia’s Vikapita Meroro in July.
Ambunda, who faces challenger Bongani Mahlangu from South Africa, was the recipient of the award last year.

ROCK STATUS

Keeping true to his nature, Tobias seized the opportunity to promote Ambunda’s upcoming fight. ‘The Rock’ Ambunda has the makings of a world champion, the handler said.
Tobias has plenty of faith in the fighter, whom he said has the potential to emulate former two-time middleweight world champion Harry ‘Onkugo’ Simon and former WBA lightweight title holder Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses.
According to Tobias, the 31-year-old Ambunda can secure his chance at world title shot once he disposes of Mahlangu.
The WBO bantamweight world strap is now vacant after two time champion Nonito Donaire stepped up a division, a development that has edged Ambunda closer to realising his dream.
“Ambunda is at his peak now,” Tobias said.
“He is rated number three in world and if he wins he can improve that position and become the mandatory challenger.
“It’s also motivation for him. I want him to be the third guy from Namibia to fight for a world title.”